1986_02 Hye Sharzhoom Newspaper February 1986

              Page 10
Hye Sharzhoom
Beirut printer reopens
business in Fresno
Yervant Chaderjian uses a modified typesetter to print Armenian texts.
By Aram K. Messerlian
Staff Writer
It's been nearly five years since Yervant
Chaderjian, owner of Meshag Printing
and Publishing, left his home in Beirut to
come to the United States. Yet he clearly
remembers that one April day in 1981
when a bomb exploded near his print shop
killing a number of people.
The civil war had made life difficult for
everyone. With each passing day, tension
and fear grew. The prospect of peace was
dim as fighting would erupt without warn-
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Tom Bozigian
presents an
ARMENIAN FOLK
DANCE SEMINAR
— SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1986
— 9:30am-12:00noon   First dance session
1:00pm-3:30pm Second dance session
3:30pm-4:30pm Film presentation and folklore lecture
—Fresno State University South Gym
Donation:
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s{    Yes, 1 would like to attend..
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$5.00 for either session
$8.00 for both sessions
No admission charge for film and lecture
Introducing and Assisting Mr. Bozigian
Roy Moz, Advisor CSUF Dance Club
Please wear tennis shoes or soft-sole shoes.
Refreshments provided.
CSUF parking free.
Sponsored by
CSUF Armenian Students Organization
and
CSUF Dance Club
Please fill out the reply form below and send to:
Armenian Studies Program
California State University. Fresno
Fresno, CA 93740
First dance session $5.00
Second dance session $5.00
Both dance sessions $8.00
(Those choosing to preregisterfor the dance sessions, please deduct SI. 00from the listed price.)
Name —
Address.
State	
.Zip,
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Please make checks payable to:
ARMENIAN STUDENTS ORGANIZATION
ing. Streets were blocked off and businesses suffered. The explosion, coupled
with a decline in business due to the war,
prompted Chaderjian to move to the
United States, where he hoped to reestablish his once successful printing business.
Upon arriving in America, Chaderjian
settled in Fresno and soon thereafter
opened the doors of his new shop.
Although he claims that his business isn't
as successful as it once was in Beirut,
Chaderjian says that the conveniences
here make his job somewhat easier.
Chaderjian cites the new generation's
indifference to reading Armenian books
as a reason for the decline in business. Yet
he continues to do what he likes best,
although many times it means that he will
absorb all costs and even, losses.
Born in Beirut in 1926, of parents from
Sepastia and Hadjin, Yervant Chaderjian
learned his trade at a very young age. Not
having the good fortune of attending
college, Chaderjian received most of his
formal education from one of Beirut's
elementary schools. According to Chaderjian, it was a custom in those days for
students to apprentice in various trades
during the summer months. Fortunately
for him, a schoolteacher of his owned a
print shop and soon Chaderjian found
himself working there.
For several years, Chaderjian jumped
from printer to printer gaining invaluable
knowledge with each new job.   In 1951,
"the press has played a
major role in educating
the people and in advancing
civilization.
armed with the knowledge he had acquired
over the years, Yervant Chaderjian opted
to establish his own business.
Says Chaderjian, "From early on, my
work has truly been joyous for it has
provided me with the opportunity to meet
many authors and print many different
books." Although he hasn't printed a
book for some time, Chaderjian proudly
expresses the fact that he has printed more
than 400 books over the years. Some of
these books include Simon Vratzian's
Hayastani Hanrabedoutyounuh, Malkhas'
Zartonk and George Mardikian's Yerkn
Amerigayi.
When asked about the importance of
the printing press, Chaderjian says that
the press is the "mother of the sciences".
"Through books and the press, the sciences
advanced,"said Chaderjian, "In addition,
the press has played a major role in
educating the people and in advancing
civilization."
Despite its significance throughout the
ages and even today, Chaderjian feels that
many people fail to understand the press'
value to humanity. "For them the press is
merely a secondary pastime,"says Chaderjian, "since there is the cinema, television,
and other empty-minded preoccupations."
Someday, Yervant Chaderjian would
like to see a literary revival amongst the
Armenian people. As is the case many
times, there is much work to be done and
few to devote the time and the energy. He
enthusiastically proposes the idea of a
committee or group to undertake these
challenges and dreams of the day when
such a group will further advance the
Armenian literary movement.
For now, however, Yervant Chaderjian
must continue to face the challenges single-
handedly, knowing that his contributions
will be appreciated, if not today, then
someday.
IMIIgIgjd^^